Trading Manny will Be near Impossible
-Dexter Sports
2:38 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
I know we have heard it over and over again this time of the season. They say Manny Ramirez cannot get by with antics that are, "Manny Being Manny." When the trade deadline approaches, we hear that the Red Sox are going to deal Manny. At this time, Theo is apparently upset with Manny's actions and is going to deal him.
I didn't buy it then, and I surely don't buy it now.
Sure, Manny is a nuisance, and he has his downfalls. His body collapses on baseballs, instead of catching them, and he ultimately doesn't care about October. But his production cannot be replaced. At least for the right place. Manny has a no trade clause, because of his veteran duty of ten years or more in the majors and five on the same ball club. It's going to be hard to find a team that will be willing to sign him to an extension, or at least pick up his options. Plus, all the contenders are stacked in the outfield. Theo Epstein claims that he has been trying to trade Manny for five and a half years. I do believe it. Of course I do. But I still don't think it would be the right move.
Of all the contending teams, I can really only think of two that would be willing to talk. The Tigers, who have been searching for a power bat, and had been rumored to be thinking about Bonds could be someone at least interested. But who do you give up for him? Plus the Tigers are searching for pitching help. And I don't think Jim Leyland and Manny Ramirez would get a long too well. With a slew of outfield prospects, and a big need for starting pitching, I just don't see this happening.
The Dodgers could fit. Sending back either Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier as well as a pitching prospect. But why? They have already overpaid for a man named Andruw. But he could be with another former Red Sox problem child, Nomar Garciaparra. But No, I don't see this happening.
Going down the list, the White Sox could make sense. They would most likely send Josh Fields and pitching prospects to the Red Sox. But then you have to either commit to Brian Anderson and give up on either Nick Swisher, Jim Thome or Paul Konerko. Or you would have to play Carlos Quentin in Center. Which I don't think is a good idea.
And of Course, their AL East teams match up pretty well, but they are division foes, and the Yankees already have found their hopeful solution to their woes. It is just going to be really hard to deal this man.
With that being said though, A Surprise team has to be the Texas Rangers. If they want to get a deal done, and can agree in principle with Manny on some type of extension, The Rangers could send some type of help to Boston. They have great catching depth, which could be needed in 09 for Boston. They also have some great pitching prospects that theo could fall in love with. The only thing is that you have to sell it to Manny. The Rangers are four over .500, but with Anaheim playing the way they have all season, it would have to be wild card or bust. And I don't think they have the major league pitching for that.
When its all said and done, I can see "Manny being Manny" somewhere else. Which is dissapointing. The clubhouse seems torn on how Manny has control over his situation. Just listen to Mike Lowell and David Ortiz in this Video:
2:38 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
I know we have heard it over and over again this time of the season. They say Manny Ramirez cannot get by with antics that are, "Manny Being Manny." When the trade deadline approaches, we hear that the Red Sox are going to deal Manny. At this time, Theo is apparently upset with Manny's actions and is going to deal him.
I didn't buy it then, and I surely don't buy it now.
Sure, Manny is a nuisance, and he has his downfalls. His body collapses on baseballs, instead of catching them, and he ultimately doesn't care about October. But his production cannot be replaced. At least for the right place. Manny has a no trade clause, because of his veteran duty of ten years or more in the majors and five on the same ball club. It's going to be hard to find a team that will be willing to sign him to an extension, or at least pick up his options. Plus, all the contenders are stacked in the outfield. Theo Epstein claims that he has been trying to trade Manny for five and a half years. I do believe it. Of course I do. But I still don't think it would be the right move.
Of all the contending teams, I can really only think of two that would be willing to talk. The Tigers, who have been searching for a power bat, and had been rumored to be thinking about Bonds could be someone at least interested. But who do you give up for him? Plus the Tigers are searching for pitching help. And I don't think Jim Leyland and Manny Ramirez would get a long too well. With a slew of outfield prospects, and a big need for starting pitching, I just don't see this happening.
The Dodgers could fit. Sending back either Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier as well as a pitching prospect. But why? They have already overpaid for a man named Andruw. But he could be with another former Red Sox problem child, Nomar Garciaparra. But No, I don't see this happening.
Going down the list, the White Sox could make sense. They would most likely send Josh Fields and pitching prospects to the Red Sox. But then you have to either commit to Brian Anderson and give up on either Nick Swisher, Jim Thome or Paul Konerko. Or you would have to play Carlos Quentin in Center. Which I don't think is a good idea.
And of Course, their AL East teams match up pretty well, but they are division foes, and the Yankees already have found their hopeful solution to their woes. It is just going to be really hard to deal this man.
With that being said though, A Surprise team has to be the Texas Rangers. If they want to get a deal done, and can agree in principle with Manny on some type of extension, The Rangers could send some type of help to Boston. They have great catching depth, which could be needed in 09 for Boston. They also have some great pitching prospects that theo could fall in love with. The only thing is that you have to sell it to Manny. The Rangers are four over .500, but with Anaheim playing the way they have all season, it would have to be wild card or bust. And I don't think they have the major league pitching for that.
When its all said and done, I can see "Manny being Manny" somewhere else. Which is dissapointing. The clubhouse seems torn on how Manny has control over his situation. Just listen to Mike Lowell and David Ortiz in this Video:
